Earlier this week, we looked at the top five best and worst moves of the Steve Tambellini era. Today, we start our look at the top five best and worst moves of the Craig MacTavish era. The MacT era was much shorter, but honestly was also much more disappointing.
It started out with so much promise, but it ended in absolute heartbreak and a stunning break-up between the two sides.
Overview:
In the spring of 2013, Craig MacTavish was a burst of fresh air through the door. Gone was Steve Tambellini, and in was a much bolder man, Craig MacTavish. He was fired up during his first press conference, promised bold moves and proclaimed that his team was closer than anyone realized.
He had a busy first summer, adding Boyd Gordon and Andrew Ference among others via free agency and adding David Perron via trade. On top of that, MacT brought in a new coach in Dallas Eakins. Fans were optimistic, the Oilers were ready to roll.
Things went downhill fast, and by this April, just two years after taking over, MacTavish was removed as GM of the Oilers. It was a shocking era of failure in Edmonton.
The Moves:
5.) Oilers sign UFA F Boyd Gordon – MacTavish’s first free agent signing was a gem. While Gordon didn’t provide much of any offense, he did do something massive, stabilize the defensive aspect upfront. Gordon faced some of the toughest zone starts in the NHL during his Oiler tenure and took almost every big face-off.
He was a stud for Edmonton on the penalty kill and provided some leadership in a young locker room. Gordon was unappreciated by some during the last two years, but he was arguably Edmonton’s most effective defensive forward in years.
He’ll be missed this season, no doubt about that.
4.) Oilers trade F David Perron to PIT for F Rob Klinkhammer, 16th overall pick in 2015 – When this deal first went down, it didn’t look good for Edmonton, not one bit. That said, the Oilers ended up making out quite well here. They got a solid year and a half from Perron, then flipped him for good value.
Perron will be a UFA next July 1st, and likely would not have garnered more this summer or next year mid-season. On top of that, even though he had a hot start for the Penguins, Perron was not the impact forward they were hoping for.
Klinkhammer established himself as a solid fourth liner in the second half of the season, while the 16th overall pick was the main piece used to acquire prospect Griffin Reinhart at the draft last month.
3.) Oilers trade F Magnus Paajarvi, 2014 2nd round pick to STL for F David Perron – The first Perron deal was another solid trade by MacTavish. Paajarvi has yet to establish himself in the NHL, while Perron was one of Edmonton’s best forwards in 2013-14.
While the 2nd round pick was a high one, it’s still worth the value of a solid top-six forward in Perron. The DP era didn’t last long in Edmonton, but as evident by the move listed above, value was also obtained there.
This trade saw MacTavish turn a diminishing asset into a top-six forward, very savvy by the GM.
2.) Oilers trade D Ladislav Smid, G Olivier Roy to CGY for F Roman Horak, G Laurent Brossoit – Olivier Roy and Roman Horak are basically non-factors here. Roy is basically out of pro hockey, while Horak is signed in Europe and unlikely to return anytime soon.
Essentially, this deal was Smid for Brossoit, and at the time it looked very ugly for Edmonton. However, the tables have turned. Smid has battled injuries and inconsistent play since the deal, and sadly looks like a completely ineffective player now.
Smid lost a lot of time last season, and it’s unknown when he will return to the ice. You hate to see that, but it shows that Edmonton pulled the trigger at the right time.
As for Brossoit, he’s become Edmonton’s top goaltending prospect after a solid ECHL season in 2013-14 and a solid AHL campaign in 2014-15. He’s expected to be the starter in the AHL this coming season.
1.) Oilers sign UFA F Benoit Pouliot – At the time, this signing was looked at as an overpay in terms of dollars and term. One year later, and not many people are still saying that. Pouliot was one of Edmonton’s best forwards a year ago, and will be a key player moving forward.
He’s a top-six veteran with speed, size, skill and the ability to win battles. He’s a player that Edmonton has lacked for a long, long time. His chemistry with RNH and Eberle last season was massive, and it likely will allow Edmonton to run with two deep scoring lines this coming season.
Pouliot is also young enough where he can grow with this team and be a part of it when the good times roll. As for now, after a very successful first year, he is riding shotgun for one of the young kids.
Adding Pouliot was easily the best move Craig MacTavish made as GM of the Edmonton Oilers.
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